The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 2 eBook

“Markandeya continued, ’Men who are desirous
of acquiring wealth, should worship those five classes
of spirits with the sun flower, and for alleviation
of diseases also worship must be rendered to them.
The twin Mujika and Minjika begotten by Rudra must
always be respected by persons desiring the welfare
of little children; and persons who desire to have
children born to them must always worship those female
spirits who live on human flesh and are produced in
trees. Thus all Pisachas are said to be
divided into innumerable classes. And now, O king,
listen to the origin of the bells and standards of
Skanda. Airavata (Indra’s elephant) is
known to have had two bells of the name of Vaijayanti,
and the keen-witted Sakra had them brought to him,
and personally gave them to Guha. Visakha took
one of those bells and Skanda the other. The
standards of both Kartikeya and Visakha were of a red
colour. That mighty god Mahasena was pleased
with the toys that had been given to him by the gods.
Surrounded by hosts of gods and Pisachas and
seated on the Golden Mountain, he looked splendid
in all the grandeur of prosperity. And that mountain
covered with fine forests, also looked grand in his
companionship, just as the Mandara hill abounding with
excellent caves shines with the rays of the sun.
The White Mountain was adorned with whole tracts of
wood-land covered with blossoming Santanaka flowers
and with forests of Karavira, Parijata, Jaba and Asoke
trees,—­as also with wild tracts overgrown
with Kadamva trees; and it abounded with herds of
celestial deer and flocks of celestial birds.
And the rumbling of clouds serving the purpose of
musical instruments sounded like the murmur of an
agitated sea, and celestial Gandharvas and Apsaras
began to dance. And there arose a great sound
of joy from the merriment of all creatures. Thus
the whole world with Indra himself seemed to have
been transferred to the White Mountain. And all
the people began to observe Skanda with satisfaction
in their looks, and they did not at all feel tired
of doing so.’

“Markandeya continued, ’When that adorable
son of the Fire-god was anointed as leader of the
celestial army, that grand and happy lord, Hara (Mahadeva)
riding with Parvati in a chariot shining with sunlike
refulgence repaired to a place called Bhadravata.
His excellent chariot was drawn by a thousand lions
and managed by Kala. They passed through
blank space, and seemed as if they were about to devour
the sky; and striking terror into the heart of all
creatures in the mobile divisions of the worlds, those
maned beasts flitted through the air, uttering fearful
growls. And that lord of all animals (Mahadeva)
seated in that chariot with Uma, looked like the sun
with flames of lightning illuminating masses of clouds
begirt with Indra’s bow (rainbow). He was
preceded by that adorable Lord of riches riding on
the backs of human beings with his attendant Guhyakas
riding in his beautiful car Pushpaka. And Sakra